JOHN 3:30 – He must increase, but I must decrease.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE CHRISTIAN’S DAILY GOAL. Simplify. Focus. Stay on track. Keep a single gaze. Don’t make it complex. Those are all exhortations to the single goal we should strive for each day of the Christian life. They also have one focal point – today’s scripture of making much of Christ and little of ourselves. The Apostle Paul would expound on this daily goal for all Christians from his own testimony in two portions of his letter to the Philippian believers – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:1) and Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us (Philippians 3:12-17).

To live with one single purpose in life – make much of Christ and little of self – defines and directs the whole of our Christian experience. And what would that look like? Here are two applications. First in every conversation with our family members, friends, brothers and sisters and all other people, we seek to speak gracious words that build up modeling the Lord Jesus. It was said of Him the people marveled over the gracious words that came out of His mouth (Luke 4:22). Is that our reputation? Are we known for grace and truth in how we engage people in conversation? We are making much of Christ, He is increasing or decreasing in our lives by the spiritual quality of our speech.

Another way our testimony for the Lordship is glowing and influential, making Him increase and us decrease in our lives, is by the measurement of our sacrificial service for others. The Lord Jesus came to give His life a ransom for many leaving us an example of a life of loving self-denial for the sake of others. The Apostle Paul would write of this humble self-emptying of Christ in the second chapter of his letter to the Philippians – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:3-9). Not only should we have a reputation of gracious speech, but do we have one of sacrificial deeds in Jesus’ name? Remember our Christ-like love for others, making Him increase and ourselves decrease, demands actions in deed not words.

So, the simple Christian life – He must increase and we must decrease. Strive to keep this ever before our eyes and hearts each day of life. It will prove to keep our walks with the Lord simple, not easy, but simple as we seek to represent Christ in all areas of life, all the times in our lives.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to live my day with one single goal in all I do – make much of Christ.”
QUOTE: “In every conversation, attitude and action, seek to make much of Christ and little of self”